The Bone Fields by C.F. Barrington

Author:C.F. Barrington [Barrington, C. F.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781804545720
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

A shout broke Heph from his thoughts.

The Heavies had spotted movement and arms began to point. He followed their fingers and saw three riders approaching from the horizon at a slow trot.

‘What have we here?’ growled Dio and he glanced back at the Companion Cavalry arranged in column. Lenore and Spyro met his eyes. Zephyr glowered behind his helmet, but the newbies shifted nervously and strained to make out the approaching riders.

‘Huns,’ said Heph. ‘The horses are too short and stocky to be anything else.’ He squinted hard into the light. ‘One of them’s carrying the Crowned Eagle banner. My god, I think this could be Attila coming.’

‘Finally. I was starting to think we’d have to start without them. So where’s his wild army?’

Heph was silent, examining the empty grassland beyond. No rising dust. No sparkle of sun on blades. ‘I don’t think he’s bringing his troops.’

‘Then what the hell does he want?’

‘Maybe it’s a tradition in these parts. Some sort of Kingly pow-wow before it all kicks off.’

A commotion was breaking out down the line near the Titan flags as those around Alexander came to the same conclusion.

‘I spy more company,’ said Dio, dragging Heph’s attention back to the horizon. Sure enough, another group of three riders had appeared to the east and approached at the same steady pace. ‘Still think he’s not bringing his troops?’

Heph raised his hand to shield his eyes from the glare. ‘I already said you should know your enemy. Those are big beasts and they sure aren’t carrying Huns.’

Shouts from along the line forced him to turn. Alexander was jabbing a thumb at him and hollering.

‘You better see what his highness wants,’ said Dio, but Heph was already encouraging Boreas to move.

He trotted along the front of the Phalanx, inclining his head to Nicanor as he passed.

‘A horse!’ shouted Alexander when Heph was in earshot.

‘My lord?’

The King was crimson and sweating beneath his ornate armour. ‘You think I’m going to trudge out there and address those bastards on foot? I am the Lion of Macedon. I am their equal.’

Heph shifted his weight and waved for Dio to join them.

‘Lend him Xanthos,’ he said quietly once Dio was beside him.

‘You’re kidding me.’

‘Just for this. Nothing’s going to happen.’

With an expression like thunder, Dio dropped from the broad back of Xanthos, placed his mouth against the beast’s ear and whispered words of reassurance, then led him resentfully to the King.

‘Have you ridden before, my lord?’ asked Heph.

‘Damn you! Just get me on the thing.’

Alexander flung an impatient arm over Xanthos’ spine and grabbed at his mane.

‘My lord!’ Dio almost manhandled his King away from the horse and cupped his hands. ‘Give me your left foot.’

Somehow, with much cursing and struggling and a helping pull from Menes on the other side, they got Alexander’s bulk mounted and the King sat rigid, gripping the rein and gawping.

Heph eased Boreas forward and took hold of Xanthos’ noseband. ‘I’ll lead you, my lord?’

Alexander nodded petulantly, then snapped, ‘Agape, where are you?’

The Captain of the Sacred Band appeared from nowhere amongst the Companion lines.

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